Bridgetoofar?

The long wait for the actual completion of the new Queensferry Crossing until 2019 is not acceptable (The Scotsman, 21 July).

The SNP is always quick to claim plaudits, but the reality is somewhat less than satisfactory. It is beginning to look as if Nicola Sturgeon’s radical reshuffle in June may have been done to prevent her under-fire ministers from having to resign.

Just about all of the big names that were moved or sacked have been shown to have failed at their briefs. Humza Yousaf will escape censure for this bridge, Shona Robison will escape censure for her failings over mental health and Michael Matheson will escape censure for the failings of a less-than-robust justice system because Ms Sturgeon had moved them just in time.

Rather than presenting a refreshed cabinet, as claimed, it seems that this was just a “get out of jail free” card being played due to necessity.

This is not the action of a government in control of its responsibilities, it is the opposite.

(DR) GERALD EDWARDS

Broom Road, Glasgow

Headlines on Saturday, 21 July told us that the Queensferry Crossing “would not be finished” until 2019.

On closer reading it turns out that what was meant was that

some painting would continue on the underside of the road deck, at no cost to the Scottish Government and with no effect on traffic. “Not finished” is something of an exaggeration.

By the same standard, the Forth Road Bridge was never finished, as there was never a single year without maintenance and lane closures, and as for the Forth railway bridge, it has never been finished in its 130-year life as its need for constant painting is legendary.

Of course, the Queensferry Crossing is a highly successful SNP project and so will always be a target of grievance by those opposed to them.

JAMES DUNCAN Rattray Grove, Edinburgh

The SNP and hard Brexiteers in the Tory Party are often at daggers drawn, yet this masks similarities between them. The hard-line Brexiteers are the nationalist wing of the Conservative Party, hence they share some characteristics with the SNP.

Both are ideologues, both are unwilling to compromise,

both are cut off from reality and both will hurt the thing they profess to care about the most!

WILLIAM BALLANTINE

Dean Road, Bo’ness

The time has come for the gloves to come off in the Brexit negotiations as the European Union negotiators have made

it now impossible for Prime Minister Theresa May to find any compromise within her party that would be acceptable for the UK exit.

The EU should be reminded that they have as much to lose inthisimportant matterasthe UK has as we are now looking at a “No deal” option. DENNIS FORBES GRATTAN Mugiemoss Road, Bucksburn

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